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The Nucleolus

The Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...

The Nucleolus

The Nucleolus

The Nucleus

The Nucleus

The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...

The Nucleus

The Nucleus

The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle that acts as a control center in a eukaryotic cell. It contains chromosomal DNA, which controls gene expression and precisely regulates the production of proteins within the cell. In contrast, the DNA inside the mitochondria and chloroplast only carries out functions that are specific to those organelles.
Arrangement of DNA within Nucleus
The regulation of gene expression inside the nucleus is dependent on many factors, including the DNA structure. The...

Nucleoid

Nucleoid

The nucleoid represents a structurally and functionally distinct region within prokaryotic cells, where the cell's DNA and associated proteins are housed. Unlike eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus, and the nucleoid facilitates the organization and accessibility of the genetic material within this constraint. The DNA in most bacteria and archaea exists as a single, circular, double-stranded molecule that is highly compacted through supercoiling and interactions with...

Additional Subnuclear Structures

Additional Subnuclear Structures

The eukaryotic nucleus is a double membrane-bound organelle that contains nearly all of the cell’s genetic material in the form of chromosomes. It is rightly called the “brain” of the cell as it shoulders the responsibility of responding to various physiological processes, stress, altered metabolic conditions, and other cellular signals.
The nucleus contains many membrane-less subnuclear organelles or nuclear bodies, such as nucleoli, Cajal bodies, speckles,...

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The nucleolus from a liquid droplet perspective.

Mitsuhiro Yoneda^1,2, Takeya Nakagawa^1,2, Naoko Hattori^1,2

¹Department of Biochemistry, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.

Journal of Biochemistry

|August 6, 2021

Summary

The nucleolus forms without a membrane via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), enabling dynamic cellular functions. Its reversible transitions depend on molecular component concentrations and interactions for cell homeostasis.

Keywords:

Pol I heterochromatin liquid droplet nucleolus ribosome

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biophysics

Background:

The nucleolus is a key nuclear body.
It regulates cell homeostasis.
Its formation and function are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanism of nucleolus formation.
To explain the dynamic behavior of the nucleolus.
To connect nucleolar structure to function.

Main Methods:

Investigated liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in nucleolus formation.
Analyzed the role of DNA, RNA, and protein components.
Studied thermodynamic changes within the nucleolus.

Main Results:

Nucleolus formation relies on LLPS, creating a membrane-less organelle.
Reversible nucleolar transitions (coalescence/dispersion) are driven by component concentrations and interactions.
LLPS explains how the nucleolus is sequestered and performs complex functions.

Conclusions:

The nucleolus functions as a liquid droplet.
LLPS is the fundamental mechanism for nucleolus formation and dynamics.
Understanding nucleolar LLPS is crucial for cell biology.